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Forcing Schedule for Easter Lily Miracle
# Weeks
To Easter
25 Lily Bulb Production. Longi Miracle bulbs are dug, cleaned, shipped and in distributor warehouse by October-16th.
23 Earliest start of bulb programming is October 16th. But start NO later than October 25th (23 weeks before Easter)
20 Bulb cooling was completed by your bulb supplier at 35-36F for a minimum of 6-weeks (42-days)
17 Plant the bulbs in pots no later than 17 weeks before Easter: Bulbs are Case Cooled by Supplier
Pot & water in well then allow rooting in greenhouse at 60-62F up to 3 weeks. A HydraFiber® blend is recommended.
14 Roots should be visible by week 15 & shoots will emerge by week 14. Start fertilizing & keep moist.
13 1"-2" tall. RootShieldPlus at 8 oz. with OnGuard @ 1Qt./Gallon injected at 1:100 dilution ratio is recommended.
If RootShield Plus granules are incorporated in the growing mix then this treatment is unnecessary. Follow the label.
Start secondary bud initiation by dropping temps down to 45F for one full week to set the secondary buds.
12 2"-3" tall. Bud initiation coincides with stem root development. Run at 60-62F-day/ nights until bud set is complete.
11 3"-4" tall. Plant growth regulator applications should NOT be needed at all, unless they are grown very tight
Bud initiation nearly complete, maintain temperature below 65F until done.
10 Check for bud set, if good to go, increase to 65F. Keep greenhouse cooler if ahead of schedule.
9 5"-6" tall. Adjust temperatures as needed. Must now space the lilies to avoid stretching. Or use a PGR spray.
Only apply Fascination (10ppm) to lower leaves 7 to 10 days before visible bud if leaf yellowing is evident.
8 Check for aphids & root problems. Apply systemic or biological pest control sometime during weeks 10, 9, or 8.
Soil test & if leaf scorch is evident, use some calcium nitrate. Make sure to check the EC levels before application.
7 7"-8" tall. Lilies reach half of final height 42 days before sale. The Flower buds can now be felt.
If buds are visible on early plantings run 60F until finish.
6 35 days to sale. Buds to be visible no later than 30 days prior to sale. Grade for uniformity as buds become visible.
5 Buds 0.5" to 1" long. Re-apply Fascination (10 ppm) to lower leaves if necessary.
A late season Ancymidol spray of 33ppm (A-rest) can be applied to avoid stretching (necking)
4 Buds 1" to 1.5" long, some will start bending down.
3 Buds 1.5" to 2” long. If aphids present, use a total release smoke or aerosol.
2 Buds 2.5" to 4" long, some turning puffy white. Stop fertilizing just before sale & apply clear water once.
Cool lilies at 35-45F to hold. Prior to cold storage, you can spray Fascination (100 ppm) over the entire plant.
1 Palm Sunday. Shade lilies once removed from storage. If needed, use an ethylene type blocker prior to shipping.
0 EASTER
NOTE: This is a growing guide only, based on performance testing 2017-2018-2019-2020